Utilization of remote control to display media

ABSTRACT

A system ( 10 ), a method and a utilization of a remote control adapted to display media content from the World Wide Web ( 12 ). This is accomplished by utilizing a smart-phone ( 18 ) as a remote control by an application program, and transmitting the media content through a backend system ( 110 ) utilizing WI-FI adapters to ( 20 ) transmit streaming media to for instance a HDMI TV ( 16 ).

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/798,193 filed on Mar. 13, 2013, which claims priority of SwedishPatent Application No. 1200467-7 filed on Jul. 27, 2012, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to a system, a method, and a utilizationof a remote control, all adapted to display media content from the WorldWide Web on an apparatus screen.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, media such as cable TV is transmitted to a television set bycable through for instance a set top box, i.e. an end-user/TV viewer isnot able to connect to the Internet in order to catch media material,and directly send it to the TV set. To be able to view media contentfrom the Internet, the end-user has to connect a computer to the TV set.Also, the end-user has to have a computer with an HDMI port/interface tobe able to view HDMI content.

For the layman end-user it is a problem to connect a computer to a settop box and TV.

It is appreciated that a new set of TVs already are equipped with WI-FIadapters, i.e. so called smart-TV-sets. But there are huge amounts ofquite new TV-sets, which lack a WI-FI adapter, and in accordance withthe present invention such TV-sets can also be utilized to perform thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aim among others of the present invention is to simplify forend-users to watch media content from the Internet on a television setwith our without a WI-FI adapter.

Another important feature of the present invention comprises that theremote control in the form of a smart phone or smart pad is not directedto the apparatus it shall control, but to a backend system in accordancewith the present invention.

Hence, the present invention sets forth a system adapted to displaymedia content from the World Wide Web. By accomplishing this, theinvention comprises:

a backend system providing media content through an electronic programguide (EPG);

an apparatus with a screen having a high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI) capability;

an interface to the apparatus screen high-definition multimediainterface, the interface being equipped with at least one of a WI-FIadapter, and a wired connection to the World Wide Web;

a remote control being equipped with, a screen, and at least one of aWI-FI adapter, a cellular network by radio communication, and a webbrowser, the at least one of a WI-FI adapter, a cellular network byradio communication, being in in connection with at least one of a WI-FIaccess point, a cellular network by radio communication, and controllingthe apparatus indirectly through the backend system;

a software application program (App) adapted to connect to the backendsystem, showing electronic program information (EPG) about media contenton the remote control screen, browsing said electronic programinformation and selecting a media content to be viewed by a user of theremote control through the backend system; and

a backend system server software application program re-directing theselected streaming media content to at least one of the WI-FI accesspoint, and a wired connection to the World Wide Web, and addressing theapparatus, which is at least in one of in WI-FI transmitting proximityto the apparatus, and in wired connection to the World Wide Web,receiving the streaming selected media content from the backend system,and displaying the media content on the apparatus screen through atleast one of the apparatus WI-FI adapter, and the wired connection tothe World Wide Web.

In one embodiment the present invention provides that the remote controlis constituted by at least one of an IPhone®, IPad®, and an androiddevice.

Another embodiment provides that the interface to the apparatus screenhigh-definition multimedia interface is embedded in the apparatus.

A further embodiment provides that the WI-FI access point is a broadbandmodem recognized by its IP-address.

Still one embodiment provides that the interface to the apparatus screenhigh-definition multimedia interface is a dongle inserted in a HDMI portof the apparatus.

A still further embodiment provides that the dongle is equipped with aUSB port for powering of the dongle.

Yet one embodiment provides that the web browser is utilized togetherwith a plug in supporting Digital Rights Management (DRM) accesscontrol.

Yet still another embodiment provides that the backend system stores theelectronic program information (EPG) for a predetermined time, enablinga remote control user to watch specific media content on demandbackwards in time.

A further embodiment provides that the apparatus is at least one of anIPhone®, IPad®, TV-set, Laptop, computer, and an android device.

Yet a further embodiment provides that a remote control inherentcamera/scanner is utilized to photograph/scan a barcode from the screenof the apparatus, whereby the barcode comprises all of the apparatusparticulars needed to receive media content from the backend system.

Further, one embodiment provides that the invention remote controlIndirectly utilizes the apparatus for remote control, but the cloudbackend system is remotely controlled to transmit media content/menus tothe apparatus.

Still another embodiment provides that the redirecting of the mediacontent to the apparatus WI-FI adapter is accomplished by utilizing theapparatus media access control address, MAC address, and it is alsoadded a unique code.

Still one embodiment provides that an EPG menu or other menu presentingmedia content can be pushed through the remote control to the apparatus,thus an end user is able to choose media to watch from the apparatusscreen, and to select the media to watch by the remote control.

Moreover, the present invention sets forth a method adapted to displaymedia content from the World Wide Web. Thus the invention comprises thesteps of:

providing through a backend system media content through an electronicprogram guide (EPG);

providing media on an apparatus screen having a high-definitionmultimedia interface (HDMI) capability;

interfacing to the apparatus screen high-definition multimedia interfacethrough at least one of a WI-FI adapter, and a wired connection to theWorld Wide Web;

remotely controlling which media content to be shown on the apparatusscreen through a device being equipped with, a screen, and at least oneof the WI-FI adapter, a cellular network by radio communication, and thebrowser, being in in connection with at least one of a WI-FI accesspoint, and a cellular network by radio communication, thus controllingthe apparatus indirectly through the backend system;

adapting a software application program to connect to the backendsystem, showing electronic program information (EPG) about media contenton the remote control screen browsing said electronic programinformation and selecting a media content to be viewed by a user of theremote control through the backend system; and

re-directing through a backend system software application program, theselected streaming media content to at least one of a WI-FI accesspoint, and a wired connection to the World Wide Web, and addressing theapparatus, which at least is in one of WI-FI transmitting proximity tothe apparatus, and the wired connection to the World Wide Web, receivingthe streaming selected media content from the backend system, anddisplaying the media content on the apparatus screen through at leastone of the apparatus WI-FI adapter, and a wired connection to the WorldWide Web.

Furthermore, the present invention sets forth a utilization of a remotecontrol to transmit media content from the World Wide Web, providingthat:

the remote control is of the type constituted by at least one of anIPhone®, IPad®, and an android device adapted through an applicationsuitable for this matter to control an apparatus, which is at least oneof an IPhone®, IPad®, a TV-set, Laptop, computer, and an android devicethrough a backend system in the World Wide Web, which directs the mediacontent to the apparatus.

It is appreciated that the attached dependent method claims adhere tothe attached dependent system claims.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Henceforth, reference is had to the accompanying drawing throughout thepresent description for a better understanding of the present inventionsembodiments, and given examples, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a backend system utilized by the systemof the present invention; and

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a system inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is at its core a system for distributing live TVcontent to end consumers. It is in some ways comparable to a traditionalpay TV operation, but it differs in some very significant ways. Thedefining characteristics of the service provided by the inventioncomprises that it presents content in a modern, easy to access views,such as on-screen EPGs including rich metadata about the contentprovided, and searches for content. Thus it is enabling to view live TVon a multitude of devices, including smart-phones, pads, computers(through a web browser), and TV sets. The interface to access content isvery similar on all devices/apparatuses.

The system and method of the present invention does not tie asubscription to a physical box such as a set top box as it distributescontent over the Internet/cloud, admitting anyone with a subscriptionand a sufficient internet connection access to the service. It operatesover 3G/4G networks, as well as fixed internet connections of about 2Mbit or higher. The content is delivered in a very high quality, even onnetworks with low bandwidth, the perceived quality will often besignificantly better than for traditional TV distribution networks.Also, the system records/stores all channels, making the contentavailable for a period of time after it has been sent. Even though thefocus of the present invention service is on distributing live TVcontent, the service will also offer different types of on-demandcontent.

A principle among others that runs all the way through the design of theconsumer perspective of the present invention is the end-usersimplicity. In this sense it is constructed as simple as possible for anend-user to consume live TV content, helping the consumer findingcontent that is suitable for any particular moment.

There are two different methods of finding and viewing content throughthe system of the present invention, either the consumer/end-user bothsearches and views the content on the same device, or utilizes onedevice to search and browse for content, and another device as thedisplay for the actual content.

Now with reference to FIG. 2, as an example of the former, it isprovided a backend system 110 a consumer/end user 112 using a smartphone for instance an iPhone® or android utilized to browse through anelectronic program guide (EPG) through an application program (App)provided by the present invention. By simply clicking a channel symbolin the App, the live content of that channel from a content provider 114will start playing on the device. By clicking an already aired program,the recorded program will start playing. For a currently airing program,it is also possible to pause and time-shift back in time.

An example of the latter is a consumer 112 utilizing an iPad® to browsefor content, and when decided what to view, an option to play thecontent “in the living room” or similar is selected, enabling the livingroom TV set to start playing the content. To access these types of usecases, the present invention includes functions for connecting multipledevices to an account, and allowing these devices to talk to and controleach other. This is closer described through the text referring to theattached FIG. 2.

An end user 112 can communicate for instance by utilizing AkamaiTechnologies, Inc., which is an Internet content delivery network,Limelight Networks, which provides simple, dynamic, user interfaces, orLevel 3 Communications, which is a multinational telecommunications andInternet service provider company, and other like communicationproviders 115.

In order to accomplish the latter, the present invention backend systemis firstly divided into two main parts, the Business & AdministrativeSystem (BAS) 116 and the Media Handling System (MHS). A third main partis the client application program/App that provides consumers access tothe present invention services.

As the name implies, BAS 116 handles the business and administrativeside of the present invention operation comprising product and serviceoffers to consumers, consumer account information, such as contactinformation, current and past subscriptions, payment methods, and thelike. Furthermore, it provides a customer self-service portal in aserver, integration with payment gateways, customer issue tracking, andusage analysis for business development. Hereby, the BAS 116, in oneembodiment is built on top of Salesforce®, utilizing the coreSalesforce® features for instance customer relation management (CRM),and a 3rd party add-on product O2BCore® from ChikPea® for product andsubscription handling.

To build the BAS on top of Salesforce® provides many benefits such asout of the box, Salesforce® already includes a number of usefulfeatures, such as CRM, being a cloud-based/Internet solution. UtilizingSalesforce® permits to easily and quickly expand operations to newmarkets. Salesforce® handles internationalization and localization ofcontent, which is also beneficial for quick expansion into new markets.As such Salesforce® is a very open platform, allowing to extend it ifneeded, as well as to integrate it through open application programinginterfaces (APIs) with e.g. the MHS. The O2BCore® is a nativeSalesforce® add-on, which means that it is fully built on top ofSalesforce®, extending the Salesforce® data model with objects andfunctions for product and subscription management.

The primary integration between BAS 116 and MHS is through an AccessControl Subsystem (ACS) which is part of MHS. The ACS containsinformation about subscribers and what content they are allowed toaccess, information which originates in BAS. As soon as subscriptioninformation is updated in BAS, it will also be sent to ACS. The mainreason for having a copy of this information in MHS is performance, asauthorization checks are performed every time a consumer tries to accessa content item including both metadata and actual media content.

Another point of integration provided is that the MHS feeds back usagestatistics from an Audit Logging Subsystem (ALS) 118 to BAS, so thatbusiness development can analyze selected usage data.

The MHS handles the actual media content and metadata 120 about thecontent. It also handles rating 122, recommendations 124, andinteraction with social networks 126 e.g. Facebook 128, Twitter. Inorder to communicate with social networks 126, an end user 112 has, inone embodiment, access to Janrain Engage 130, which is a turnkeysolution that empowers users to register or sign in on your site with anaccount from one of 25+ social networks and email providers, includingFacebook 128, Google, Twitter and Yahoo!. Simplify registration;eliminate the need for users to remember passwords and access richprofile data from a user's 112 social network account with permission.

Moreover, Janrain Engage 130 also lets users 112 share content oractivities from your site to their social networks 126, enablingword-of-mouth marketing and driving qualified referral traffic. TheJanrain Engage 130 is delivered through a set of customizable JavaScriptwidgets and robust APIs. And the solution supports cross-channel user112 acquisition goals with SDKs for mobile sites and applications.

Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the MHS consists ofthe following subsystems; injection 132, transcoding 134, digital rightsmanaging (DRM) 136, storage 138, streaming 140, EPG, media metadata 120,rating 122, recommendation 124, audit logging 118, access control 142,Social 126, real-Time monitoring.

The injection 132 subsystem is responsible for getting content mastersignals into the present invention system 110. This Injection 132subsystem is largely agnostic to the contribution signal encodingformat, transport layer, and physical delivery media. For example, theencoding formats can be SDI, MPEG-2 4:2:2, MPEG-2 4:2:0, MPEG-4 4:4:4,MPEG-4 4:2:2, MPEG-4 4:2:0, JPEG-2000 or SMPTE VC-1. As the transportlayer can be SDI/ASI, IP, DVB-S2, PDH, SDH or NGSDH (DTM).

Physical media can be fiber, coax, TP-cable, xDSL, radio link or DTH. Itcan also be hybrid solutions such as IP over PDH or Ethernet based FTTB.In one embodiment of the present invention, the preferred contributionmethod is HD-SDI encoded signals over IP on redundant fiber.

Moreover, the transcoding 134 subsystem is responsible for taking theincoming contribution signal and transcode it into formats suitable fordelivery in the present invention services.

The DRM Subsystem is in one embodiment a Widevine® DRM solution. The DRMSubsystem takes the transcoded signal, divides it into small segmentsfor instance around 2 seconds of content per segment, and wraps thesegments in a DRM protective cover. Also, the DRM 136 subsystem togetherwith the ACS is responsible for authenticating and authorizing accesswhen a consumer 112 tries to view a particular content item. In oneembodiment all transcoded and DRM 136 protected media files are storedon Amazon S3®.

The streaming of content is performed using HTTP Live Streaming (HLS),and is thus essentially just serving files over HTTP. Thus in oneembodiment, the streaming 140 subsystem essentially consists of a numberof CDN Origin 144 Servers, and the actual CDNs. As for now the presentinvention utilizes the Amazon content delivery network (CDN)(CloudFront®), but other CDNs will be added.

The EPG 142 subsystem offers a REST API through which consumers canaccess EPG data using a present invention client applicationprogram/App. Both consumers and applications will need to beauthenticated and authorized. As such, the EPG 142 subsystem containsinformation about available channels, the actual EPG data per channeland day, and detailed information about programs. EPG sources 146 arefor instance provided by an external provider. For example, EPG data isprovided through EPG data in the XML format from one of the EPG source146 servers with the aid of an HTPP call.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the mediametadata 120 subsystem contains the same basic information as the EPG142 subsystem. In addition to this, the media metadata 120 subsystemwill contain additional metadata about content from other sources.Utilized as a primary interface to the media metadata 120 subsystem isfor instance a REST API allowing general searches.

As mentioned in the latter, the system of the present invention records148 and stores 138 all EPG channels, making the content available for aperiod of time after it has been sent. The period of time is determinedby the provider of the present invention, and may be set on the requestof end-users 112.

A rating 122 subsystem of the present invention handles ratings ofcontent items by consumers 112. The rating data may be used forrecommendations, as well as being displayed through the social subsystem126, which is a subject to consumer approval.

Moreover, a recommendation 124 subsystem produces recommendations onwhat content may be of interest to a particular consumer 112.Recommendations are based on data from several sources, such as theaudit logging 118 subsystem, the rating 122 subsystem, and the social126 subsystem.

Hereby, the audit logging 118 subsystem handles logging of any event inthe MHS that may be of interest in an after-the-fact-analysis. Thisincludes both normal events such as a consumer starting to view aparticular content item; a new original content item is imported intothe MHS, and the like, as well as extraordinary conditions, such aserrors of different kinds.

The present invention ALS exposes an asynchronous API that all MHSsubsystems can use to post audit log events. The API is built around theconcept of topics, where each topic defines a certain class of events.Each topic also defines a set of parameters that must be included in anaudit log event for that particular topic. The ALS API rests on top ofthe Amazon Simple Notification Service, whereby the ALS is an SNSlistener which sits on top of Amazon DynamoDB®, storing all the auditlog events. This design permits to easily extend the types of eventsthat can be handled by the ALS. It also admits to perform efficientpost-processing of the audit logs using Amazon Elastic MapReduce®.

The access control subsystem is essentially a mapping from subscriberIDs to the content items they are allowed to access. The information inACS is a copy of a subset of the subscriber information available in theBAS. ACS will be utilized to authorize access every time a consumertries to access a content item.

In accordance with the present invention a social subsystem integratesthe MHS with social networks 126 such as Facebook 128, Twitter, andGoogle+. This may include features such as publishing information aboutthe content a consumer has viewed, ratings, and other information.

Furthermore, a real-time monitoring subsystem monitors and graphsimportant system parameters, to give a quick view of the system stateand health to the operations staff of the present invention.

The present invention system provides native Apps for iPhone®, iPad®,and a number of android devices both phones and pads, but not restrictedto those mentioned. A reason for native applications, as opposed topurely web-based applications, is that they are providing a smootherend-user experience, and are able to securely apply the DRM protection.

A web client/application program will be included in the presentinvention, which for instance allows end-users utilizing a computer toview content using a regular web browser together with a player plug-inwhich supports the DRM system.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a system 10 inaccordance with the present invention. Hereby, FIG. 1 depicts thecloud/Internet/iCloud 12, wherein a backend system 14 comprising serversto operate, and to provide the operation of the present inventionutilizing the means/apparatuses/devices/software and subsystemsmentioned. This embodiment illustrates a TV set/apparatus 16 with HDMIcapabilities. It is appreciated that the apparatus 16 could be acomputer, Lap-Top, iPad®, Android pad, and like devices having smartdevice capabilities.

Moreover, a smart-phone/pad 18 such as an iPhone® utilized as a TVremote control through an app stored in the phone 18. With aid of theApp an end-user chooses the media content to watch, and for instanceclicks on it to view it, and the phones WI-FI adapter/interface 20connects 24 to a WI-FI access point (AP) 25, through its WI-FI adapter20, whereby the WI-FI AP 25 connects to the present 26 invention backendsystem 14 handling the mentioned means which operate the system 10. Thebackend 14 processes demanded media content to view and re-directs themedia content to the WI-FI AP by addressing 28 the WI-FI adapter andHDMI interface/dongle/TV embedded interface 22, and streaming mediacontent to the TV set. Communication signals in the system 10 are wiredthrough the connections 24, 26, 28 wireless and/or by cable, by forinstance utilizing the the Internet protocol (IP), which isschematically depicted in FIG. 1.

WI-FI is the name of a wireless networking technology that uses radiowaves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections.The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that owns the Wi-Fi™ termspecifically defines Wi-Fi as any “wireless local area network (WLAN)products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards.”

Alternatively in an embodiment of the present invention, the remotecontrol utilizes a cellular network by radio communication to access thebackend system 14, i.e. not a WI-FI adapter, to direct media content toan apparatus 16.

It is appreciated that an alternative to only communicate through WI-FI,would include that the apparatus 16 is wire connected to the internet,but that the remote control still accesses a WI-FI access point tore-direct media content to the apparatus 16. Thus, the media content istransmitted from the Internet to the apparatus through wire/cable.

In accordance with the present invention, as mentioned, a HDMI Dongle 22a small device with an HDMI interface and a WI-FI interface/adapter isprovided. This can be connected to e.g. a TV set lacking smart-TV-setcapabilities. Additionally, the dongle can also be equipped with auniversal serial bus, USB, interface for power, which contains anapplication program which allows it to be controlled by other presentinvention applications, such as the iPhone® application program/App.This permits end-users to view content on any TV set with an HDMIinterface, using another device as a remote control.

New modern smart-TV sets and like devices are already provided with anembedded WI-FI adapter, and not utilizing a dongle.

To summarize, servers ones in connection providing media content throughan electronic program guide accomplishing this, the invention comprisesa backend system 14 and/or comprising (EPG), and an apparatus 16 with ascreen having a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) capability.Thus comprising an interface 22 interfacing the apparatus 16 screenhigh-definition multimedia interface, whereby the interface 22 isequipped with a WI-FI adapter.

Moreover the system 10 provides a remote control 18 equipped with, ascreen, and at least one of a WI-FI adapter 20, a cellular network radiocommunication capability, and a web browser, the WI-FI adapter 20 is inconnection with a WI-FI access point 25. A software application programadapted to connect 24, 26 to the backend system 14 through, showselectronic program information (EPG) about media content on the remotecontrol 18 screen browsing said electronic program information andselecting a media content to be viewed by an end-user 112 of the remotecontrol 18. In this sense, the remote control 18 could be in contactwith any available WI-FI access point 25, i.e. not only an access pointsituated in the same room as the apparatus 16, but also with accesspoint at any place and country as the remote control not directlycontrols the apparatus 16, but controls it from the backend system 14.Hence, for instance any suitable TV-set in the world could be initiatedby e.g. a barcode function, as is further elaborated below.

In order to clarify, the present invention remote control, it does notdirectly utilize the apparatus 16 for remote control, but the cloudbackend system 14 is remotely controlled to transmit media content/menusto the apparatus 16.

Furthermore, a backend system 14 server software application re-directsthe selected streaming media content to the WI-FI access point 25 andaddresses the apparatus 16, which is in WI-FI transmitting proximity tothe apparatus 16, and receives the streaming selected media content fromthe backend system 14, and displays the media content on the apparatusscreen through the apparatus WI-FI adapter 22. The redirecting of themedia content to the apparatus 16 WI-FI adapter is in one embodimentaccomplished by utilizing, the apparatus 16 media access controladdress, MAC address, and it can also be added a unique code. This caneither be accomplished through an account in the backend system, held byan end-user listing its devices in the account. Else, as an alternativethe remote control 18, when an apparatus 16 is utilized for the firsttime in accordance with the present invention a barcode is pushed to theTV-set initiated by the remote control 18, and shown on the apparatus 16screen. Thereafter, the remote control inherent camera/scanner isutilized to photograph/scan the barcode from the screen, whereby thebarcode comprises all of the apparatus particulars needed to receivemedia content from the backend system 14 of the present invention. Abarcode to be utilized is a code able to contain enough of characters tohold the apparatus 16 particulars such as a 2D or quick response codeand the likes.

The MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfacesfor communications on the physical network segment. MAC addresses areused for numerous network technologies and most IEEE 802 networktechnologies. One embodiment of the present invention comprises that theMAC address and its unique assigned code is utilized to pair the remotecontrol 18 with an apparatus 16.

In one embodiment the EPG menu or other menu presenting media content tocan be pushed through the remote control 18 to the apparatus 16. Thusthe end user is able to choose media to watch from the apparatus 16screen, and to select the media to watch by remote control 18. To pushdata means for instance to allow a device/apparatus to be constantlyawake to immediately download new content such as emails, news feeds,menus and the like data as soon as it is available.

The attached set of claims determines other possible embodiments of thepresent invention to a person skilled in the art of the presenttechnical field.

What is claimed is:
 1. A content streaming system, comprising: a backendsystem configured to receive at least one input content stream, processeach input content stream, output at least one output content stream viaone or more networks, and receive and react to control commands; adisplay apparatus configured to receive the output content stream viathe one of the networks or another one of the networks and reproducevideo information in the output content stream; and a remote controlconfigured to transmit the control commands to the backend system viaone of the networks, wherein the backend system comprises an injectionsection via which each input content stream is received in a firstformat, a transcoder section that transcodes each input content streaminto a respective transcoded content stream in a second format, adigital rights management section that divides each transcoded contentstream into respective stream segments and envelopes each stream segmentwith a digital rights protective cover, a storage section where thestream segments are stored, a streaming section that streams the streamsegments to the display apparatus in accordance with the commandstransmitted by the remote control, and an electronic program guidegenerator that generates an electronic program guide with informationabout content that can be streamed to the display apparatus as saidstreamed segments, and the remote control has a display via which theelectronic program guide can be displayed.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the input content stream is a live TV signal.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein: the electronic programming guide is in an XML format;the remote control has a web browser capable of viewing data in XMLformat; and a user can cause the remote control to transmit commands tothe backend system by interacting with the remote control web browser.4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control is a smartphone,tablet or computer.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one of thenetworks is the Internet.
 6. A content streaming system, with a mediahandling system configured to receive at least one input content stream,process each input content stream, output at least one output contentstream via one or more networks, and receive and react to controlcommands, the media handling system comprising: an injection section viawhich each input content stream is received in a first format; atranscoder section that transcodes each input content stream into arespective transcoded content stream in a second format; an accesscontrol section in including a digital rights management system thatdivides each transcoded content stream into respective stream segmentsand envelopes each stream segment with a digital rights protectivecover; a storage section where the stream segments are stored; astreaming section that streams the stream segments to one of thenetworks; and an electronic program guide generator that generates anelectronic program guide with information about content that can bestreamed as said streamed segments.
 7. The system of claim 6, whereinthe streaming section includes at least one cloud data network and atleast one cloud data origin server and streams the output contentstreams as files using a hypertext transmission protocol.
 8. The systemof claim 6, wherein the electronic program guide generator includes anapplication programmer interface via which access is permitted to dataof the electronic program guide.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thedata of the electronic program guide is in an XML format.
 10. The systemof claim 6, wherein the digital rights management section is configuredto authenticate and authorize access to the output content streams. 11.The system of claim 6, further comprising a business administrativesystem via which user accounts can be maintained and user paymentsprocessed, the business administrative system interacting with the mediahandling system via the an access control system.
 12. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the storage section stores the stream contents for aperiod of time enabling playback of a content stream commencing at anypoint therein.
 13. The system of claim 6, wherein the one of thenetworks is the Internet.
 14. A content streaming system, with a mediahandling system configured to receive at least one input content stream,process each input content stream, output at least one output contentstream via one or more networks, and receive and react to controlcommands, the media handling system comprising: an injection section viawhich each input content stream is received in a first format; atranscoder section that transcodes each input content stream into arespective transcoded content stream in a second format; an accesscontrol section in including a digital rights management system thatdivides each transcoded content stream into respective stream segmentsand envelopes each stream segment with a digital rights protectivecover, the digital rights management system configured to authenticateand authorize access to the output content streams; a storage sectionwhere the stream segments are stored; and a streaming section thatstreams the stream segments to one of the networks, the streamingsection including at least one cloud data network and at least one clouddata origin server and streams the output content streams as files usinga hypertext transmission protocol.
 15. The content streaming system ofclaim 14, further comprising an electronic program guide generator thatgenerates an electronic program guide with information about contentthat can be streamed as said streamed segments.
 16. The system of claim15, wherein the electronic program guide generator includes anapplication programmer interface via which access is permitted to dataof the electronic program guide.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein thedata of the electronic program guide is in an XML format.
 18. The systemof claim 14, further comprising a business administrative system viawhich user accounts can be maintained and user payments processed, thebusiness administrative system interacting with the media handlingsystem via the an access control system.
 19. The system of claim 14,wherein the storage section stores the stream contents for a period oftime enabling playback of a content stream commencing at any pointtherein.
 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the one of the networks isthe Internet.